If you are going to visit Oxford in England you should really look for a hotel with some of the charm of the university itself. The Old Parsonage Hotel was built in the 13th century as a hospital and largely rebuilt in the 17th century. It looks right at home in the city of dreaming spires, although it is about half a mile from Carfax, the real centre of Oxford.

A walk south from the hotel will take you down St Giles, past the more brash and expensive Randolph Hotel, down the main shopping street, and then onwards towards Christchurch and the river. Turn aside and you can visit the traditional colleges along the High Street, the University Church and Radcliffe camera, and as far as Magdalen bridge, all within about a mile.

I lived within walking distance of this Hotel for 3 years while I was at university. During the time I ate at the restaurant twice when someone else was paying. It was not within budget for a poor student. The hotel itself was thankfully unnecessary since that was also not in my budget. More recently I have used the hotel as a place to stay when visiting the city. The price of about $200/night is a walk-in price. You should be able to get rooms for much less, particularly out of season or if you are booking for more than one night.

So the outside of the hotel will inspire you, but what is it like inside. This is not a large hotel, even with the addition of a more modern wing, and there are about 30 rooms. You enter through an ancient oak door that wouldn't look out of place on a 500-year-old monastery. Inside there is no grand lobby or rush of doormen, but the service is prompt and friendly. I prefer the personal service you get here to that at many larger hotels. These are real people who want to make your stay pleasant, not efficient-but-busy employees of a luxury hotel chain, and definitely not Basil Fawlty.

The rooms vary in size from standard double rooms to larger suites, but none of them are huge. However, they have every comfort you could want. The furnishings are both traditional and immaculate with a style not often seen in any hotel. The beds are excellent and the marble bathrooms make it difficult to leave the room and explore the city. I believe that all the rooms have satellite TV. The rooms are better suited to a romantic couple than a family, but some of the larger suites have sofa-beds and enough space for a family for a few days. If you don't want to venture as far as the bar or restaurant then 24-hour room service will bring you whatever you need.

The bar downstairs has the atmosphere of a traditional English pub, but is modern enough to serve you any cocktail you might want, or just a capuccino. I'm told by an American friend that the coffee is excellent by English standards, which should make it quite palatable for any American. The restaurant serves a variety of English and European food, much of it seasonal. Again, the menu is not aimed at children and families might find themselves hunting down a McDonalds.

For a change, or to mix with the students, you could visit any of several pubs within a few hundred yards. And no visit would be complete without crossing the road to eat at Brown's for a more modern menu and a more lively atmosphere. Be prepared to queue.

If you are a couple planning to visit Oxford for a few days or even to use it as a base in central England, I can think of no better place to stay than The Old Parsonage Hotel.

Recommended: Yes